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May 22, 2009

Tell Me a Story!

Once upon a time, in a village called Mount Kisco, on one magical weekend (this one, in fact), story tellers began appearing throughout the town. They were to be found in the restaurants and community centers, spinning tales to delight and transfix their listeners, young and old alike. As the townspeople gathered round, they saw old friends and met new ones, trading stories of their own. And everyone lived happily ever after.
 
This weekend (May 22 - 24) inaugurates the Sunflower Story Arts Festival in Mount Kisco. Founded by noted, award-winning musicians/storytellers Alyssa Reit and Johanna Maria Rose, the three-day Festival promises to become a major cultural tradition in Westchester for years to come.
 
 The festival includes a free telling of Hispanic Tales in Spanish at the Boys and Girls Club, on May 22nd 7:00 pm; Dr. I. Murphy Lewis' Tales from the Kalahari, at the American Legion Hall, on May 23rd 11:15 am, Singing Harp's The Frog Prince, May 23rd 2:00 pm, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church; and Jim Weiss's presentation of Stories of Courage and Heroism, at the American Legion Hall, May 24th 1:30 pm. Of special note are the restaurant "Meet-ups" where festival goers can join in the telling, such as Sunrise Tales at Starbucks, 8-10 am May 23rd, and Jewish Tales 9-11 am May 24th at Cosi.
 
Tickets can be purchased for individual events; day passes are also available. For a complete listing and schedule of events, visit www.sunflowerstoryarts.com or call 914-248-0880 for tickets and further information.
 
Sunflower Story Arts Festival
www.sunflowerstoryarts.com
 
Tickets may be purchased in advance on the website, or during the event at the box office, located at:
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, by the Fellowship Hall
85 E. Main St.
Mount Kisco
 
Box Office hours:
Friday 5/22: 3-7pm
Saturday 5/23: 8am-2pm; 5:30-8pm
Sunday 5/24: 11am-7pm

May 04, 2009

These Books are Made for Walkin'

Okay, so the pollen is a nightmare, but at least your kids are finally outside riding bikes, swinging on swings, selling lemonade -- in short, getting the fresh air that they missed all winter cooped up inside. More good news: All of that running around knocks them out at bedtime. The only trouble is that sometimes they're too tired to stay awake for bedtime stories. With more and more reports stressing the importance of reading to your child, you'd rather not lose the one uninterrupted opportunity to do so.

StoryWalk in Chappaqua solves this age-old dilemma by combining story time with walking. The pages of popular children's books are placed along a walking path at regular intervals so that you and your little multi-tasker can follow the story as you stroll the route. The featured story from May 1 - June 26 will be that classic tale of a bear in search of a button (and a friend), Corduroy by Don Freeman. The route begins at the Chappaqua Library, heads north on South Greeley Avenue, meanders. through the downtown area and returns to New Castle Town Hall. There, Storywalk participants are invited to leave a comment in the guest book that has been placed in the lobby near the front door of the Recreation Department.
 
Just don't forget to bring along a drink - reading and walking can be thirsty work. And some Zyrtec for yourself.

May 01, 2009

What to Do This Weekend

Spring (or maybe summer) is in the air, which means it's time to crawl out of your winter cave and mix and mingle with friends and neighbors on the playing field sidelines. It also means it's time for two of the area's great family events.

Saturday:
Take a break from the game-birthday party-game roundabout and hit the 4th Annual Taste of Our Towns Festival at St. Mark's in Mount Kisco. All your favorites (and a few soon-to-be ones) will be there: Bollywood Bistro of Pleasantville, Cabbage Hill Farm of Mount Kisco, Jennifer's Kitchen & Catering of Mount Kisco, Ladle of Love of Mount Kisco, L'Anjou of Bedford Hills, La Mer Gourmet Seafood of Armonk, Near & Natural of Bedford, Quaker Hill Tavern of Chappaqua, and Tenga Asian Bistro of Katonah and 353 Restaurant of Bedford Hills. While you're grazing and gabbing, the kids can participate in free craft activities.

On top of eating well, you'll be benefiting three great local groups - the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, Community Center of Northern Westchester and Emergency Shelter Partnership -- all of which have been doing more than ever this year to help those particularly troubled by economic hardship in the area.  

May 2, 12 - 2:30 pm. St. Mark's Church, 85 East Main Street (corner of Rtes. 117 & 133), Mount Kisco, $15 adults; $5 kids 5 -10; under 5 free.

Sunday:
Katonah Museum of Art's annual Family Day has a special highlight this year: Jules Fieffer (yes, he of Village Voice and Pulitzer Prize fame) will join the festivities and sign copies of the new children's book, Which Puppy?, a collaboration between Jules and his daughter, Kate Feiffer (who'll also be on hand). Inspired by President Obama's promise of a puppy to his daughters, Kate's charming story depicts animals across the globe vying for their shot at the White House, while Jules (whose work is currently on exhibit in the museum's Learning Center) brought his trademark illustrative style to the pictures (which means adults will get as much out of it as kids).  The book arrives at bookstores-and at KMA Family Day-perfectly timed to the arrival of Bo, the famous new White House dog.  Activities and Crafts will be held from 1 to 2; at 2, Kate Feiffer will read the book, which will be followed by a "live illustration" by Jules, after which they will both be signing books while Family Day activities continue. Books will be on sale ($16.99) at the Museum.

May 3, 1 - 4pm. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay Street - Route 22, Katonah. Free to members, $5 for non-members.  Families can enter at no charge with a new membership or renewal.  For more information
: www.katonahmuseum.org

April 17, 2009

Earth, Girls, Is Easy

Everyone is doing his or her part to save the planet. You bring your Eco-Bags to the supermarket - even if you constantly leave them in the trunk of your car. Your kids tote their stainless steel water bottles everywhere they go. Even those Housewives from New York are going green. Jill and Bobby have launched a new eco-friendly line of fabrics at Zarin Fabrics. "Under-dog" Bethany has put out a line of vegan baked goods. Simon recycles his tennis ensemble from the seventies. And Kelly risks life and long limbs by hoofing it through the city streets of Manhattan instead of taking a cab. "Running in New York is one of the most exhilarating things you can do," she declares. "I love to run in the traffic trenches." (Granted, her choice of locale may not be the healthiest given the exhaust fumes she's sucking in, but that's not the point.)

Hike-a-ThonYou can do your part for the planet in celebration of Earth Day without subjecting yourself to the urban jungle by joining the Trek our Trails Hike-a-thon to benefit the Teatown Lake Reservation this Saturday, April 18th. The event brings together hikers of all ages to enjoy 15 miles of trails and raise funds to support Teatown's environmental education programs, the care of our 834-acre nature preserve, and regional conservation efforts in the Hudson Hills and Highlands. Start the day with a hearty -- and free!-- breakfast and a pre-hike stretch lead by Club-Fit trainers. Then burn off those breakfast calories with your choice of an easy family "Carry me!" walk, intermediate or more challenging half-day hike. Then meet back at the Nature Center and celebrate with more food, live music, and a birds of prey show. 

All participants will also receive a free t-shirt and other goodies. Just be sure to say thank you.

You know how the Countess feels about good manners. 

Trek our Trails Hike-a-thon
at Teatown Lake Reservation
Saturday, April 18, 8:00am - 2:00pm
www.teatown.org/trek_trails.htm

April 13, 2009

Feeling Sheepish

Spring is in the air, at least in theory. While you may not be ready to put away your winter coat just yet, the sheep at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow are ready to shed their woolen outerwear. They'll be shorn by hand in the style of the 18th century at the Sheep-to-Shawl Festival on April 18th and 19th. But the fun doesn't stop there; your family will also get to see the process of making woolen cloth from start to finish; picking and carding the wool, spinning and dyeing the yarn, and weaving it into cloth.

Sheep to Shawl at Phillipsburg Manor.jpgNineteen newborn baby lambs-- including a set of triplets -- will be frolicking around the farm for your kids' viewing pleasure. Maebell the milk cow's new heifer calf, Marigold, will also be making her debut. And the farm's Scottish border collies will showcase their impressive ability to herd sheep and corral ducks, leaving you contemplating whether they could do the same with toddlers.

Philipsburg Manor's Sheep-to-Shawl festival
Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for children ages 5-17. Members of Historic Hudson Valley and children under 5 attend for free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hudsonvalley.org.

Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., two miles north of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

September 12, 2008

Anime-tion

There are mornings when, indulging your son's obsession with Pokemon and Bakugon, you allow him to watch the cartoons-cum-commercials bearing their names. As you watch the wide-eyed characters through your barely opened ones, you ponder this thing called anime, and wonder how it came to have such a hold. (Cue thought bubbles and exclamation marks.)
 
You probably won't find the answer you're looking for using those shows as your focal objects, but hitting Jacob Burns' series of Hayao Miyazaki films might provide just some clues. Featuring four of this seminal animator's children's works - Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind; Howl's Moving Castle; Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro - on weekends throughout September and October, the series presents a rare chance to see these films on the big screen. (Other works of Miyazaki, notably Kiki's Delivery Service and Princess Mononoke, are occasionally seen on cable cartoon channels, but the splicing in of commercials makes the dreamy story lines exponentially more difficult to follow.)
 
While some of the imagery may (okay, will) come off as fantastical, even weird, to adults, when you give yourself over to the deeply imaginative storylines and characters, you'll feel welcomed  into a truly child's-eye view of the world. And your young companions? Expect entrancement. Notably, the protagonists of these films are all girls - brave, adventurous, heroic lasses each, not a sidekick or backseat-taker among them.
 
The morning routine of 'Mon-'Gon may feel even less palatable after a viewing (think of how Jacques Torres ruins one's taste for Hershey's) - but perhaps a certain youngster may feel the same way, too.
 
Hayao Miyazaki Films
Jacob Burns Film Center
364 Manville Road
Pleasantville
12noon, Saturdays & Sundays in September and October
Visit www.burnsfilmcenter.org for specific film dates

September 07, 2008

Signing Bonus

For the sports fan/sugar addict in your life, there's little better than the two-for-one pleasure of getting to see his favorite athletes while inhaling ice cream sundaes at the same time. While not a duo you would have put together, clearly, the guys at Last Licks Ice Cream have a level of insight into the male psyche that you could only hope to one day possess. Catch their fall line-up of signings, where one  can bring one's own memorabilia or buy items to have inscribed (warning: there's a fee - and not a slight one - for each item signed) or just gaze upon the greats. A few highlights:
 
Thursday, September 11: The heart and soul of the great Bronx dynasty of the 1990s, Yankees Legend Paul O'Neill will be making a signing appearance in the Armonk store, 6 to 7:30pm. There's speculation that his number may be retired - remember, Hawkins switched to 22 in April of this year amid criticism from fans over wearing what was formerly O'Neill's- so bring (or get) those #21 shirts!
 
Wednesday, September 24th: That recent import from Wisconsin may have been grabbing the recent headlines, but let's just remember who won the 2008 Super Bowl. Our boy Eli will be at Last Licks' NYC location 5 to 7:30 pm.
 
Saturday, October 11th: Given the choice of "shred or die", your little skatepunk probably pick the latter if discussing a poster signed by Tony Hawk. Have the skateboarding legend (who, holy cow, is as old as you...) scribble -- er, inscribe --  between 12 and 1:30pm at the NYC shop.

For pricing and locations of each individual event, as well as a full list of upcoming signings, visit www.lastlicksicecream.com

August 12, 2008

Time Warp: Movies at Kensico Dam

There is something oddly satisfying about seeing a movie outdoors. Granted, the sound is usually of questionable quality, there are mosquitoes to battle, and some crazy set of teenagers doing what comes naturally in the corner. Still, you enjoy it (actually, that last part was what you used to enjoy most about it.).
 
So treat yourself to one of two shows on Thursday August 21 at the Kensico Dam. Families can meet for a picnic dinner on the lawn and watch Shrek the Third (gates open at 5pm; movie begins at sunset; there's live entertainment in between). Presented by the Westchester County Parks and the Jacob Burns Film Center, admission is free, and, happily, the Kensico Dam Plaza has bathrooms. Just bring the bug spray.
 
Or, should you be kid-free (thank you, camp), or can arrange an overnight babysitter, take yourself and your least inhibited friends to the midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (If Doris Finsecker could do it, so can you). In case you've forgotten the appropriate props (it has been, oh, what, 20 years since you last went): The safest choices are newspaper, toilet paper (preferably Scott's), a deck of cards, and unbuttered toast. Being a mom now, you needn't be reminded to pick up after yourself at the end. (What? You're a vir---, sorry, first timer? Stop by the RHPS Official Fan Site to bone up on the finer details of what to expect and what to do  -- including the steps to the Time Warp.)
 
One final suggestion: Put in for a vacation day on Friday.
 
Screenings Under the Stars
Kensico Dam Plaza
Valhalla
Gates open at 5pm
Shrek the Third shown at sunset
The Rocky Horror Picture Show shown at Midnight
www.westchestergov.com/parks/ScreeningsUndertheStars.htm

All's Fair: Dutchess County Fair 2008

You have never been to a County Fair. Isn't that what they do in, oh, say . . . Oklahoma? Well, yeah, but they do it here in New York, too. Okay, maybe not Westchester. But nearby. In Dutchess County, in that dreadfully cute town of Rhinebeck, which sports way too many manicured and reno'd Victorians for you to expect it to be the epicenter of a week-long celebration of "aggie" life. But it is.
 
Now, there are many reasons to enjoy a County Fair. If one is young enough, seeing all the animals certainly ranks up there. If one is a little older, but no so old that one has decided that everything in life is SO BORING, the rides may be the attraction.  There are clowns and jugglers and Mad Science shows and Gentle Giant Draft Horse Exhibitions. Then of course, there's the reason that Templeton the Rat agreed to escort Charlotte and Wilbur to the fair in the children's classic Charlotte's Web*, and, more than likely, you know at least one person (possibly a male between the ages of 7 and 100) in your familial unit who'd given that rodent a run for his money in the junk-food-eating department. There's a Beach Boy concert, and expert bull riding. And crafts and jewelry and shopping of all kinds.
 
But none of that can compare to the Pig Races. Which -- don't lie -- is why you're going.

Put your money on "Some Pig."
 
Dutchess County Fair
August 19 to 24th
Dutchess County Fair grounds
Route 9
Rhinebeck, NY
 
* Of note, the author of Charlotte's Web, E.B. White, was, when not playing gentleman farmer in Maine and writing novels destined to entertain millions of children, a writer for The New Yorker. Of further note, he originally hailed from Westchester County, having been born in Mount Vernon. 

August 01, 2008

A Restivus for the Rest of Us

From the Seen and Heard File:
Stay-cation: (n.) The act of taking time off from work but not going anywhere. Activities may include going to the swim club, playing golf/tennis at local course/court, hiking on trails within an hour's drive of the house, or doing small home improvement projects oneself. Usage: "We just aren't expecting this to be a good year, so we're taking a stay-cation this August."
 
It's one of those years - not just for you, but seemingly everyone around you. So you needn't feign great vacation plans if you haven't got them or had to cancel them.

Here's what to do if you're doing nothing:
 
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation: This gorgeous county park offers wide array of trails, from short, family-friendly jaunts to longer, all-day-but-not-killer treks. Picnic areas abound, so drag along a few other stay-cationers. Plus, for a nominal fee, the whole familycan camp out over night in one of the lean-to's (or, better yet, send your significant other - the one, you know, who goes on about his Boy Scout Merit Badges -- to camp out with the kids while you have a martini night with the girls at Pour).
Route 35 & 121 South, Cross River

 
Fahnestock State Park: A little bit of the mountains in your own backyard. Okay, so it's technically in the Hudson Highlands range, not the Adirondacks, but its crystal clear lake (with rent-able rowboats; you can also launch your own non-power boat - eg, canoes and kayaks - with a NYS license, which is only $5) and stunning scenery will make you feel like you're further north, without, of course, the five-hour, gas-guzzling ride. Hiking, fishing and all those other wholesome vacationesque activities - including swimming, because at least once in their precious lives, your children should squeal at sticking their feet into a gooey lake bottom -- beckon.
Route 301, Carmel

 
Playland Amusement Park: If you haven't watched your eight-year-old display more bravery than you on the Log Flume, or blown $20 on the water-pistol horse races to win your five-year-old a $7 stuffed animal, then you haven't really lived. Don't forget to have the toffee apples, although not immediately before riding the roller coaster.
Playland Park
Playland Parkway, Rye 

 
Historic Hudson Valley: Including the properties of Sunnyside, Van Cortlandt Manor, Lyndhurst, Philipsburg Manor, Montgomery Place, Kykuit and Union Church, this network of local historic sites covers everything from colonial farms to Gilded Era mansions (the ones of the 1890's, that is); some of the world's greatest modern art is set in the garden and halls of Kykuit.
Historic Hudson Valley 
www.hudsonvalley.org
And you were going to drive down to Virginia, why?

April 17, 2008

Tea for Three: Caramoor Afternoon Teas

You recently happened across a poem, one by a former poet laureate, “On Turning Ten.” You looked across the room at your children as they battle happily on the Wii, and felt like someone had punched you in the stomach. Their childhood is slipping away; you have felt it as you look through the toy catalogs that clog your mailbox (despite attempts at removal from mailing lists) – once, you were figuring how long it would be before they were old enough for the fairy bowers and pirate ships contained within; now you put aside the catalogs to perhaps find a gift for a younger niece or nephew. A few more months, maybe a year, and there will be a worldly pre-adolescent in your family room who is too busy IM’ing friends to invite you to tea on the rug, much less discuss which outfit her doll should wear to the event, and who will look at you quizzically as you pour from an empty teapot.

So quick, now, before it is too late altogether: Take her, and the all-too-expensive doll, to Caramoor’s Mommy, Dolly and Me Tea, tomorrow, Saturday, April 19th. Reservations are required (this is a tea, after all), and there’ll be real tea poured from the teapots, as well as delicious treats for those who require more than imaginary food.

Call 914.232.1252 to reserve your space. Can’t make this one? Book a reservation for one of the afternoon teas held every Thursday and Friday in May.

And wear your best hat. She’ll love it – and when she’s mocking your outfits in a year or two, you’ll need that to fall back on.

Mommy, Dolly and Me Tea
Saturday, April 19th
Afternoon Teas
Thursday and Fridays in May, 1:30pm

Caramoor
149 Girdle Ridge Road
Katonah, NY, 10536
914.232.1252
www.caramoor.org

February 01, 2008

Team Player

You have always worried that, despite your best attempts at supervising his choice of friends, your child would come under the wrong influences. And now it has happened. Your impressionable young son has come home and informed you that "The Giants stink and the Patriots are going to win on Sunday." Whether it's something he picked up on the bus, or is due to that friend of his whose father hails from Boston, you're not sure. The correct intervention is called for, and quickly. Experts recommend the following approach.
  1. Get him a Giants Jerseys  (and one for his father and forgiants_shirt_silo.gif that friend). Have him wear nonstop for next two days (tell him he gets to skip his bath if bribery is needed). Shirts available at: Neil's, 195 North Bedford Road, Mount Kisco; 244-7010; Fanwear, 175 Harris Road, Bedford Hills, 242-7014, www.fanwear.com.
  2. While it's too late to order custom M&Ms from mymms.com, you can still pick up blue, white and red ones at Party City in Mt. Kisco. Administer regularly for the next two days (try them in pancakes and cookies if he won't take them straight).
  3. While plying him with aforesaid candy, intone "Patriots, Schmatriots," so that when the sugar high ensues, he will yell that phrase while running circles in the playroom.
  4. Print out as many photos of Eli Manning as possible and tape them over his bed, so he will go to sleep dreaming of the correct QB or, if the sugar high lasts all night, will lie awake staring at him.
  5. Finally, be sure you prepare an appropriately themed Superbowl feast:
    • Buffalo Wings (since the Bills are not playing this year, they are allowed at NY-themed parties) - order from Quaker Hill Tavern 61 North Bedford Road, Chappaqua, 238-6416.
    • Italian Combo Wedges  -- order from Bueti's Deli; 454 East Main Street, Mount Kisco, 666-6687 and 526 North Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, 241-2255.
    • Egg Creams (for kids, see below for recipe) and Brooklyn Lager (for adults)

How to make a New York Egg Cream
Adapted from Fox's U-bet Syrup
In an 8-ounce glass, pour 1 inch of chocolate syrup. Add 1 inch of milk. Top with seltzer (not Italian sparking water - puh-lease, your grandfather is rolling in his grave at the thought) to fill. Stir to mix.

And FYI, you can get Fox's U-Bet at the A&P Fresh Market in Mount Kisco.

And need it be said? Well, yes: GO GIANTS!

January 28, 2008

Have Children, Will Travel

Going on vacation with kids is not really a vacation. It's a change of scenery. Still, thanks to modern technology, at least you don't have to entertain them on the airplane anymore - just remember to charge the portable DVD player. And there are plenty of family-friendly trip options out there that don't include Mickey Mouse or Big Bird.

 

"The world of travel has changed in the last few years," says Nancy Panzer of Courtyard Travel. "Upscale cruises and hotels have become more kid-friendly than ever, allowing parents to have downtime while their children are entertained." With both winter and spring breaks looming, if you haven't made plans to get away yet, here are some ideas to inspire:

 

SKI

With the record amount of snow that has been dumped on Colorado this year, you are sure to have great conditions for skiing out west. Stay at The Ritz Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Vail Valley which offers "Ritz" luxury paired with lots of activities for little travelers to do off the slopes. And there's even a four-star spa for when you need a little "me" time.

 

SUN

Yes, you may have to endure the chicken dance and "hands-up." But with all of the activities for both kids and adults, Club Med really does make a great family vacation. Panzer and her partner Stacey Edenbaum highly recommend the property in Cancun, Mexico which has been recently fully renovated. "All inclusive resorts like these allow parents the chance to participate in activities or relax while their children are being cared for," says Edelman. With separate programs for babies, children and teens included in the package, there's a chance that you can make everyone in the family happy.

 

SEA

Cruises, such as Royal Caribbean give you a lot of options. There are tons of activities on and off board for everyone such as swimming, rock climbing, kayaking and yoga. Plus, you certainly won't go hungry. You can also spend quality together time as a family or ship your kids off to camp for the day and even into the evening hours so that you can enjoy dinner and a Broadway show.

 

Just don't forget to pick them up on your way back from the midnight buffet.

 

Courtyard Travel Ltd.

Stacey Edenbaum

Sedenbaum@optonline.net

 

Nancy Panzer

Nanpanzer@yahoo.com

October 12, 2007

The Great Pumpkin

Admit it. There is still some part of you that wonders if you sat out all night amongst the pumpkins, whether you would see the Great Pumpkin yourself. The problem is coming up with a patch to do it in. While the following pumpkin purveyors might not take kindly to you camping out over night in their patches, they'd probably more than welcome you to buy enough to set up your own in your backyard.

United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco: An annual tradition in the center of Mount Kisco, you can take your pick of pumpkins big and small spread across the lawns of this picturesque white clapboard church. (Home renovators, stop to gaze up in awe at the slate roof while you're at it...) Plus, you can get the rest of your errands done in town before or after.
Throughout October; weekdays 12 -6:30; Saturdays 10 - 6:30; Sundays 12 - 6:30
United Methodist Church of Mount Kisco
300 Main Street (corner of Smith Avenue), Mount Kisco

The Great Chappaqua Pumpkin Patch: Stuck in the center of town with back-to-back soccer games? Squeeze in the pumpkin picking at St. Mary's,  a mere stone's throw (or strong field goal kick) away from the Bell fields.
Saturday October 13th 10-4 
Great Lawn of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin
191 South Greeley Avenue (Between Bell School and Chappaqua Library)

Once you have your pumpkins, carve one up and bring it to Katonah Museum of Art's final "Second Saturday" event of the season. Guests' carved pumpkins will be lit and lined up along the garden wall for judging. (Guests themselves can line up for food, spirits - of the liquid kind - and music.) If the Great Pumpkin is going to show up anywhere, this well may be the place -- he probably wants to catch the "Children Should Be Seen" exhibition before it closes. (Although, please note, your children should not be seen at the event; it's adult only.) 
Saturday, October 13th, 6:30 - 8:30
Katonah Museum of Art
Jay Street and Rte. 22, Katonah.

$10 members; $15 non members

September 21, 2007

How 'bout Them Apples!

Though summer doesn't end until midnight, it feels like months ago that you were blowing up water wings and eating the rest of your child's Snoopy ice-cream bar at the pool club. September is racing along at top speed, even if you are spending the majority of your time crawling behind a line of school buses. Before it ends, get an apple-picking outing on your calendar. Three tried-and-true orchards for your U-pick pleasure:

Outhouse Orchards
Acres of apples ripe for the picking await you at this local favorite. And in addition to the usual farm fun (e.g., hayrides, penny candy, clucking chickens), there's no need to scour the town in search of a diner. On weekends, there's lots of kid-friendly cuisine on site such as barbecued meats, pizza and hot dogs. Outhouse insiders say that prime apple picking starts now and lasts until mid-October. Get there by 10am in order to avoid spending an hour-and-a-half in line waiting to park your car.

130 Hardscrabble Road
Croton Falls, NY (Exit 8 off of Rt 684)
Phone: 914-277-3188
10am to 5pm

Wilkens Fruit and Fir Farm
McIntosh, Cortland, Golden Delicious - you name it, they grow it. Hitch a hayride to the orchards and enjoy watching your little ones stretch their little bodies to reach low hanging fruit. Don't you dare leave without at least one or five of their freshly baked cider doughnuts. (Just start your diet again on Monday.) The early bird definitely catches the apple at Wilkens -disgruntled parents have been known to wait a good 45 minutes in line to park in late October, only to discover that there are no more apples to pick! Never know what to do with all those apples? Try these Wilkens family recipes for apple muffins, apple pie and applesauce. 

1335 White Hill Road
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
www.wilkensfarm.com
10am to 5pm

Stuart's Fruit Farm
Not too far of a schlepp to get to the oldest working farm in Westchester County. Stuart's has all the goodies that you have come to expect from your apple-picking excursions - the orchards, the farm stand, the hayride, the mums. Plus, the little ones will especially enjoy a tour of the apple grating and cider machines.

62 Granite Spring Road
Granite Springs, NY 10527
914-245-2784
www.stuartsfarm.com 
9am to 6pm

September 04, 2007

Thank God I'm a Country Girl!

Let some bemoan the fact that the pool clubs have closed and the kids are back on the bus. Ignore the nagging voice in your head that says summer's close means that your snow plow renewal letter will arrive shortly. You are personally reveling in the arrival of Westchester's most beautiful season.

The good news for fall-freaks is that: a) Stone Barn's annual Harvest Festival is scheduled for October 13, 2007, and b) tickets are on sale September 4th.  The celebration includes a day of live country-folk-bluegrass music from Grammy-nominated Adrienne Young and her band Little Sadie; games like farm Olympics; arts and crafts; face painting and hayrides. Chefs from Blue Hill at Stone Barns will be cooking up farm fare for lunch including fresh-picked vegetables, Stone Barns hotdogs and their famous Berkshire pig roast. Or sample foods from local purveyors who will be setting up shop on the grounds.

Tickets are limited, so advanced purchase is recommended. Still trying to convince those good friends of yours to decamp from the city and move up here? Buy them tickets and watch them hit the real estate ads.

 

Harvest Festival at Stone Barns
Tickets on sale September 4, 2007
Event date: October 13, 2007 rain or shine from 10am to 4pm

Parking for all ticket holders will be at Pace University (861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570). From the Pace parking lot, free shuttle buses will run all day to and from Stone Barns Center.

Adults $30
($27 SBC member)

Youth (age 6-14) $20
($18 SBC member)

Child (age 2-5) $10
($8 SBC member)

May 25, 2007

Animals & Acrobats

Yeah, yeah, summer doesn't technically begin until June 21st. But you know that Memorial Day weekend marks the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the season. Which means you usually hit the beach, where the kids splash about in Arctic-like waters while you sit on the sand in a sweatshirt pulled over your knees, pondering such questions as whether children actually have nerve endings and at what point to call them out before hypothermia sets in.

 

animalacro_thumb.jpgThis year, keep your kids entertained above sea level by heading to Animals & Acrobats at the historic Van Cortlandt Manor. Capturing the fun of an early American traveling circus, this three-day event is guaranteed to keep your son from turning on his Ninetendo DS all weekend long - or at least during performances. There are acrobats, jugglers, birds of prey demonstrations, puppetry, rope walkers, magicians, wagon rides and touchable farm animals (bring the anti-bacterial gel). It's like a birthday-party-entertainment hall of fame.

 

With your children far from the icy ocean water, you can rest a little more easily this weekend - as long as they don't want to join the circus.

 

Animals & Acrobats

Van Cortlandt Manor

525 South Riverside Avenue (off Route 9)

Croton-on-Hudson, NY

914-631-8200

May 26-28

10am to 5pm

Admission: $12 for adults, Child (5-17): $6

Children under 5: Free

May 18, 2007

Kiss the Frog

You've more or less dug yourself out from the storm, but two unplanned days home with the kids have used up every idea in your "Rainy Day" files. You know that by Sunday afternoon even television or cookie batter will hold no allure. And, frankly, by then you'll all need some time out of the house.

Stave off that impending Uno marathon and inoculate your kids with live culture (no, not yogurt) by attending the The Frog Prince, this Sunday, May 20th, at 3pm. This classic tale of promises, perseverance and courage will be presented through music, dance and storytelling by the acclaimed Singing Harp Family Theater.  It's guaranteed to enrapture your children - and perhaps remind you why you kissed your frog so many years ago.

He did turn into a prince, didn't he?

The Frog Prince
Presented by Singing Harp Family Theater
Sunday May 20th, 3pm
Admission: $10 adults/$5 children & seniors

Held at St. Mark's Parish House
85 East Main Street, Mount Kisco 
(corner of Rtes. 117 & 133)
For more info, call 914-248-0880

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